Unlocking North Vancouver History

Building a Vancouver Icon: The Lions Gate Bridge

Renovated Lions Gate Bridge

The refurbished Lions Gate Bridge looks even lighter and more delicate than it did before. The tall stiffening trusses, formerly rising well above both sides of the old bridge deck, were replaced with narrower trusses located beneath the new deck. This considerably opened up the view for drivers. The road surface also became 40 percent wider, as the sidewalks were moved to the outside of the structure. The Stanley Park causeway was resurfaced and slightly widened. While the bridge upgrade has provided drivers with more comfortable lane widths, it has not solved the traffic-flow problem. Backups at either end of the Lions Gate Bridge are still a frequent inconvenience for commuters travelling between the city core and the north shore — especially during rush hour — but many believe the heritage span’s continuing presence and beauty outweigh this drawback.

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WHAT
This view shows the Lions Gate Bridge as it looks today, with the sidewalks clearly visible on the outside of the towers.

WHERE
This picture was taken from the Stanley Park overpass, an original small bridge also rebuilt as part of the bridge renovation.

WHEN
Since the bridge opened in 1938, tourists the world over have taken similar snapshots; this vantage point is on the bus route to a Stanley Park viewpoint overlooking the First Narrows.

WHO
North Vancouver engineering firm Buckland & Taylor Ltd. designed the replacement of the entire suspended structure.

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